- Sixth E‑Prix of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship takes place in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, on Saturday 17 March
- FanBoost voting is open – to vote for Nelson Piquet Jr or Mitch Evans visit http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/
- Watch the unique challenge here: https://youtu.be/zBQ7nqRL9Ss
Punta Del Este, Uruguay, Friday 16 March 2018 – Panasonic Jaguar Racing stars Nelson Piquet Jr and Mitch Evans braved the Atlantic Ocean in their latest driver vs driver challenge – with a unique sustainable twist.
To win extra FanBoost votes ahead of the next race in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, the two drivers traded in their all‑electric Jaguar I‑TYPE 2 race cars for unique surfboards made from recycled Jaguar model car materials.
During the design process for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, including the new all‑electric Jaguar I‑PACE, polyurethane is used to form the ‘skeleton’ of life‑size clay models. The plastic is usually destroyed following its use, however, as part of Jaguar Racing’s mission of ‘Race to Innovate’ both on and off the track, it was sustainably recycled to make two ‘Waste to Wave’ surfboards.
Plastic sent to landfill takes up to 500 years to decompose. The surfboard concept is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s wider ‘second life’ initiative and supports its longer‑term zero‑waste strategy. The Panasonic Jaguar Racing bespoke surfboards were hand‑made by SkunkWorks Surf Co in Northern Ireland.
The Jaguar I‑PACE was launched on 1 March and will be the exclusive car of the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY ‑ official support series to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, with the inaugural race taking place later this year.
Mitch Evans said: “I’m proud to race for Panasonic Jaguar Racing in Formula E because of their sustainable approach to motorsport, but also for their commitment to electrifying all production vehicles from 2020. I’ve always wanted to surf and it’s been amazing to be a part of this innovative and environmentally conscious challenge.”
Nelson Piquet Jr said: “I’m a big supporter of sustainable technology. Panasonic Jaguar Racing shares my goals of reducing waste and improving the environment. This challenge was a personal favourite and it’s great to know we’ve helped Jaguar Land Rover’s efforts to achieve zero waste.”
To find out who won the challenge click here https://youtu.be/zBQ7nqRL9Ss
FanBoost is now open for the Punta Del Este E‑Prix and closes at 19:10 GMT Saturday 17 March.
Tweet your boost using #MitchEvans or #NelsonPiquetJr and #FanBoost, or visit: http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/
Further information
For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Phoebe Eaton, Race Team Media Officer, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 (0) 7825 255 553
Email: phoebe.eaton@jaguarracing.com
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com
Notes to Editors
ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all‑electric FIA Formula E Championship street racing series.
Jaguar’s Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar Land Rover road cars and is designed around the team’s founding principle, ‘Race to Innovate’.
Manufacturers can design their own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and rear suspension. Common components across all teams to control costs include the carbon fibre chassis and battery. The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.
Beyond its all‑electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. With the exception of the Mexico E‑Prix, every round of the championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world’s major cities. All track action including practice, qualifying and racing takes place in a single day. Beginning on December 2, the 2017/18 calendar includes 12 races in 10 cities, including double‑header races in Hong Kong and the finale in New York.
